Jamshedpur: Round-the-clock surveillance has been mounted at all interstate and interdistrict checkpoints as the district administration and police step up preparations for the Ghatshila Assembly by-election. Special surveillance teams have been activated and all border entry points are under tight watch to prevent the smuggling of cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements intended to influence voters.
A high-level inter-state and inter-district coordination meeting was held at UCIL Bhawan, Jadugora, under the chairmanship of Kolhan DIG Anuranjan Kispotta, to review security and administrative arrangements for the by-election. The meeting was attended by District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner (East Singhbhum) Karn Satyarthi, Deputy Commissioner (Seraikela-Kharsawan) Nitish Kumar Singh, SSP (East Singhbhum) Piyush Pandey, SP (Seraikela-Kharsawan) Mukesh Lunayat, Rural SP (East Singhbhum) Rishabh Garg, and SP (Railway) Tatanagar, along with senior officials from Jhargram, West Medinipur, Purulia (West Bengal) and Mayurbhanj (Odisha) districts.
The meeting focused on strengthening coordination across state and district borders to ensure a clean, transparent, and violence-free election. The DIG directed that vehicle checks, joint patrols, and blockades be intensified in all sensitive areas. Officials were instructed to maintain constant vigilance against anti-social elements, and to take strict legal action under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for any attempt to disrupt law and order.
To ensure real-time coordination, all border police stations will remain connected through WhatsApp groups, wireless networks, and intercom channels, enabling instant communication on any suspicious movement or incident. The social media monitoring cell has also been put on high alert to counter misinformation and rumor-mongering during the election period.
The DIG further directed the identification of critical and vulnerable polling stations, and deployment of adequate security personnel in such areas. He also ordered flag marches and preventive actions under Sections 107 and 116 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to maintain public confidence and preempt disturbances.
District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi urged all officials to perform their duties with impartiality and vigilance, ensuring fear-free and fair polling. He said any violation of the MCC or illegal activity must be immediately reported to the control room and senior officers for prompt action.
Satyarthi reiterated that while the Model Code of Conduct is in effect in the Ghatshila Assembly constituency, the administration will closely monitor activities across East Singhbhum district to prevent any undue influence on the electoral process.
“The aim is to ensure clean, peaceful, and credible elections. Every department must stay alert and act swiftly against violations,” he said.
With security tightened, borders sealed, and coordination among police units enhanced, the district administration has made it clear that law and order, transparency, and voter confidence will remain the top priorities throughout the Ghatshila by-election process.
